Children&#39;s garment retention device

ABSTRACT

A garment retention mechanism for retaining the foot portion of a footed garment on the foot of a wearer includes an elastic member adapted and constructed to fit around a clad ankle of the wearer. The retention mechanism is separate from the garment. The garment retention mechanism has sufficient elasticity to expand to fit over the wearer&#39;s foot in an expanded position, and to fit snugly around the wearer&#39;s ankle in a closed position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to children's garments. Specifically, the invention relates to devices for retaining portions of children's garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The word “pyjama” came originally from the Hindi word pajama, derived from the Persian words for “leg garment”. Pajamas began to gain popularity in Great Britain in the latter half of the 19^(th) century, likely due to British soldiers returning from India, and replaced nightshirts as preferred sleepwear for men. In the United States, the 1920's ushered in a pajama fad that swept the country, and pajamas became de rigeur for men, women, and children.

It is believed that footed pajamas or “sleepers” for children were first developed in England in the 19th century. Combining pajamas and slippers, such garments serve the dual functions of sleepwear and footwear. Although footed sleepers have served generations of children, they have several drawbacks. For example, even when the pajamas are perfectly fitted, the leg portions of the pajamas are likely to slip downwardly, or the child's foot to slip upwardly, thus causing the child's foot to slip out of the foot portion of the pajamas. This condition can be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous, as the child may trip over or slip on the vacated foot portion.

There are several descriptions of garment securing mechanisms in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,619 to Bardes is directed to an anklet that includes a strap that encircles an ankle of a child. A quick disconnect buckle is affixed to, and selectively maintains, the strap around the ankle, and a leash depends from the strap and engages a foot covering worn by the child so as to prevent loss of the foot covering if unintentionally removed. The strap includes an ankle-facing layer that is made of an elastomer with a modulus of elasticity, and an ambient-facing layer that directly overlies the ankle-facing layer and is made of a fabric that has a limited modulus of elasticity so as to prevent the ankle-facing layer from passing the modulus of elasticity thereof and failing. The leash is an endless loop that extends through the foot covering and then extends back through itself, and in so doing, becomes self-fastened to the foot covering.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,847 to Hanks discusses a garment including a pants portion having a waist region and two pant legs. Each of the pant legs includes a leg connected end joined to the waist region and a leg free end having an end wall which closes the leg free end, so that the waist region and two pant legs are unified as a single piece garment. A pant leg tying element is secured around each of the pant legs for contracting the given pant leg around and against a wearer leg contained within the pant leg to grip the wearer leg, preferably at the wearer ankle, and thereby to define a garment boot portion at the leg free end matching the size of the given wearer foot and preventing relative movement of the given wearer foot within the given leg free end.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,057 to Neumann sets forth a method of facilitating walking development of an infant between the ages of six months and three years old. The method involves providing an over-sized garment having a pair of pant legs with bottom openings for feet, with the pant legs sized to extend below the bottom of the feet even when properly positioned on the infant. The pant legs of the garment are positioned in a raised position on the infant such that the bottom openings are located above the bottoms of the feet and proximate the ankles. Two straps are provided, each comprise a single elongated strap having a first outer layer and a second inner layer having a higher coefficient of friction that the first outer layer. Each strap is provided with a connecting means for connecting opposite ends of the strap together. With the pant legs in the raised position, one of the straps is wrapped around the lower end of a respective pant leg to a position at or above the infant's ankles so that the inner layer of each strap frictionally engages the respective pant leg to retain the pant legs in their raised position without other attachments to the pant legs.

Another example can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,542 to Kunz, which describes a coverall garment having foot straps.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,151 to Dixon deals with an infant's garment having ties in various locations, including the feet.

Although some known garments provide foot ties, the ties are vulnerable to being untied by the child, either purposely or accidentally. Further, the ties are attached and form a part of the garment itself, and are not transferable from garment to garment. It can be seen from the foregoing that the need exists for a simple, inexpensive, and transferable retention mechanism for the foot portions of children's garments that overcome the deficiencies of known arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are achieved by providing a garment retention mechanism for retaining the foot portion of a footed garment on the foot of a wearer including an elastic member adapted and constructed to fit around a clad ankle of the wearer. The retention mechanism is separate from the garment. The garment retention mechanism has sufficient elasticity to expand to fit over the wearer's foot in an expanded position, and to fit snugly around the wearer's ankle in a closed position.

The features of the invention believed to be patentable are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side elevational view of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a garment retention mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a garment retention mechanisms 10, 12 incorporating the principles of the present invention. The garment retention mechanisms 10, 12 are shown in place around the ankle portion of a garment G on a wearer W.

As shown in FIG. 2, the garment retention mechanism 10 is fit snugly around the wearer's ankle A in a closed position, having been expanded to fit over the wearer's foot F, shown in broken line. The garment retention mechanism 10 can be fabricated from any suitable material. Advantageously, the material should have a modulus of elasticity such that the garment is held in place without slipping while being loose enough to remain comfortable and fit safely around the ankle. It is contemplated that suitable materials can include, but are not limited to, elastic and elastic textiles of the type used in hair retaining bands, bungee cords, and the like.

An alternative embodiment of a garment retention mechanism 14 is shown in FIG. 3. The garment retention mechanism 14 includes a decorative FIG. 16 attached to an elastic member 18. The decorative FIG. 16 can be provided to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the garment retention mechanism 14, for example, as a cartoon character, holiday symbol, or sports theme, and can be secured either at a specific point on the garment retention mechanism, or around all or part of the garment retention mechanism, as with lace or trim. The decorative figures, whatever their specific form, should be secured in accordance with applicable safety standards.

An alternative embodiment of a garment retention mechanism 20 can be seen in FIG. 4. Unlike the one-piece, contiguous, generally circular garment retention mechanisms 10, 12, the garment retention mechanism 20 is divided, and provided with a connection mechanism 22 secured to an elastic member 24. The connection mechanism 22 includes a button 26 adapted and constructed to coact with a buttonhole 28 in a known manner.

Another alternative embodiment of a garment retention mechanism 30 can be seen in FIG. 4. Unlike the one-piece, contiguous, generally circular garment retention mechanisms 10, 12, the garment retention mechanism 30 is divided, and provided with a connection mechanism 32 secured to an elastic member 34. The connection mechanism 32 includes snap elements 36, 38 operating in a known manner.

Another alternative embodiment of a garment retention mechanism 40 can be seen in FIG. 6. Unlike the one-piece, contiguous, generally circular garment retention mechanisms 10, 12, the garment retention mechanism 40 is divided, and provided with a connection mechanism 42 secured to an elastic member 44. The connection mechanism 42 includes a hook-and-loop arrangement having hook elements 46 adapted and constructed to coact with loop elements 48 in a known manner.

FIG. 7 illustrates a garment retention mechanism 50 showing an alternative construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As seen in the broken-away section of the retention mechanism 50, an elastic member 52 is surrounded by an outer cover 54. The elastic member 52 can be fabricated from any suitable elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, having sufficient elasticity and resilience. The outer cover can be fabricated from any suitable material, advantageously chosen for durability, comfort, and aesthetic appeal.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A method for retaining the foot portion of a footed garment on the foot of a wearer, the method comprising the following steps: placing a footed garment on the wearer; providing an elastic retention mechanism adapted and constructed to fit around a clad ankle of the wearer, the retention mechanism being separate from the garment and having sufficient elasticity to expand to fit over the wearer's foot in an expanded position, and to fit snugly around the wearer's ankle in a closed position; and placing the retention mechanism around the ankle of the wearer.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing an elastic retention mechanism fabricated from an elastic textile material.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing a one-piece, generally circular elastic retention mechanism.
 4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing an elastic retention mechanism having a connecting mechanism.
 5. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing an elastic retention mechanism having a snap connection.
 6. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing an elastic retention mechanism having a button and buttonhole connection.
 7. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing an elastic retention mechanism having a hook-and-loop fastener connection.
 8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of providing an elastic retention mechanism comprises providing an elastic retention mechanism having a decorative figure attached thereto.
 9. A garment retention mechanism for retaining the foot portion of a footed garment on the foot of a wearer, the garment retention mechanism comprising an elastic member adapted and constructed to fit around a clad ankle of the wearer, the retention mechanism being separate from the garment and having sufficient elasticity to expand to fit over the wearer's foot in an expanded position, and to fit snugly around the wearer's ankle in a closed position.
 10. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 9, wherein the elastic member is fabricated from an elastic textile material.
 11. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 9, wherein the elastic member comprises a one-piece, generally circular elastic retention mechanism.
 12. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 9, wherein the elastic member comprises a connecting mechanism.
 13. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 12, wherein the elastic member comprises a snap connection.
 14. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 12, wherein the elastic member comprises a button and buttonhole connection.
 15. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 12, wherein the elastic member comprises a hook-and-loop fastener connection.
 16. A garment retention mechanism in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a decorative figure attached to the elastic member. 